Q: I collect pink Miss America glass. I bought this footed bowl that has all the criteria for the pattern. But the color is not true, and the foot is unlike others in the pattern. Any info?
- Mary
Q: Our reader's antennae are up because she knows that, in this piece, both color and shape are off. I think she's right to be concerned. In my experience, when serious collectors get the willies about a piece in their specialty, there's a reason. As the old saw goes, "Trust your gut."
Miss America is a popular Depression-era glass pattern. Made by the Hocking Glass Co. from 1933 to 1936, the pattern has rays in the center and an abundance of raised diamond points and is found in many forms, from tumblers to plates, cups and saucers, goblets, shakers and more.
Pink is common, but the pattern was also made in crystal, green, ice blue and ruby. Ruby is hardest to find and most expensive. Rarely, jadeite pieces are found. If you find the pattern in cobalt, the piece is a repro.
People are also reading…
Miss America has been reproduced widely, in all shapes. Experienced collectors know how to assess pieces, but occasionally one slips through.
The reason this piece does not ring true is because it is not Miss America. I sent the image to Barbara Mauzy, author with her husband, Jim, of "Mauzy's Depression Glass," 6th ed. (Schiffer, $29.95). She identified the footed bowl as English Hobnail, made by Westmoreland Glass from 1917 to 1940.
English Hobnail is so similar to Miss America that the two are sometimes confused. Many smart collectors think that MA may have been made to compete with the popular Westmoreland pattern. Like Miss America, English Hobnail has rays and diamond points. But the pink is a different hue.
The reader's piece is an 8-inch double-handle trophy bowl. The company also made a three-handled trophy bowl, now much more rare.
Mauzy pegs value at $75 if the bowl is in perfect condition. We found a turquoise version online for $150, a crystal one on www. replacements.com for $59.99, and two milk-glass examples on eBay for $14.99 and $19.99.
FYI: The "Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass," 19th ed., by Cathy and Gene Florence (Collector Books, $24.95), shows the complete line of English Hobnail and includes tips on how to tell the two patterns apart.
Q: I bought this mirror long ago at a thrift store. A visitor to my home told us it is old and valuable. Is it?
- John
A: We've said it here before: When visitors say you have something valuable and/or rare, smile, thank them and move on. Then do your research.
Unless the person making the remark is an expert, the comment is just an opinion. A lot of well-intentioned misinformation has been passed on that way.
When your visitor does know his or her beans about decorative arts or paintings, jewelry, etc., be sure to ask what about the piece prompts the comment. That gives you a starting point for research.
In this case, the comment was partially correct. The wall mirror seen in photos appears to be from the 1920s. It is vintage, not antique. But the look appeals again today.
Pluses are large size, an attractive shape (a rectangle topped with a half-circle), excellent condition and quality. This was a premium piece when made.
Exact composition has to be seen, but the find looks wonderful in photos. Aesthetics are superb. It is an excellent example of a high-end period mirror, and that boosts price. The mirror could bring $700-$1,000 or more at auction.
COLLECTOR QUIZ
QUESTION: Which of these is NOT a color used in Depression-era glass?
a. Cobalt b. Amethyst
c. Turquoise d. Black
e. Teal
A: Turquoise glass came later, after 1940. Source: "Colors and Patterns of Depression Era Glassware" by Doris Yeske and Lyle Fokken (Schiffer, $12.99).
AUCTION ACTION
A jadeite necklace that brought $5.4 million recently at Sotheby's Hong Kong sold high because the 35 highly translucent beads were of a vivid emerald green color and fine texture. Beads ranged in size from 12.55 to 15.04 mm. The strand, with a platinum and diamond clasp signed Cartier, is 20 inches long. Beads are the rarest form of jade jewelry because of wastage in carving. Finding that many beads, where each is of outstanding quality, is near impossible. Jade is prized by Chinese collectors as a spiritual symbol of virtue and immortality.
Danielle Arnet welcomes questions from readers. Send e-mail to smartcollector@comcast.net or write Danielle Arnet, c/o Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611. Please include an address in your query. Photos cannot be returned.